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Journalism of Courage
Murali bids to weave Cup magic
LONDON: quot;Diabolicalquot; spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will hold a huge psychological advantage when World Cup hosts England and defending champions Sri Lank clash in the opener. England, he knows, already fear him. Alec Stewart, the home skipper, concedes: quot;He is something special. This fellow 8230; is in a different class. He spins it massively and he has a lot of variation too.quot;
Muralitharan, blessed by a double-jointed wrist, has managed to combine the two. The ball leaves the front of his hand, giving him the accuracy of a finger spinner, but his ability to snap his wrist like a snake8217;s head during delivery provides him with exceptional deviation off the wicket.
Julian can swing it
CARDIFF: Think of Australia8217;s likely match-winners and the names that leap to mind are captain Steve Waugh, fast bowler Glenn McGrath, leg-spinner Shane Warne and dashing opener Adam Gilchrist. It is a fair bet that all-rounder Brendon Julian, who bowls left-arm at a brisk mediumpace and bats right-handed, is not on your list. On days when skies are grey, and pitches have some moisture in them, Julian8217;s natural swing bowling allied to the seaming qualities of the white ball could see him pose problems to the best batsmen.
